The Human Who Will Kill the Demon God (2)
"Just what is it that makes you go so far to protect Sisilia Windsor?"
Erterion couldn't comprehend it with his common sense.
"Of course, she's an outstanding knight. She'll undoubtedly become a great treasure of the Liannen Kingdom in the future. But she's not on the level of Edward Windsor."
It was a cool-headed judgment.
Both Sisilia and Edward had achieved great feats at a young age. Sisilia especially possessed a domain-type Extreme Art and had reached the Sword Demon realm far faster than Edward.
But if he had to choose just one between Sisilia and Edward, it would unequivocally be Edward. The honors and achievements he'd accumulated, his current martial prowess—none of it was something Sisilia could surpass.
Both were promising talents with bright futures, but the gap between them right now was too vast. Even judging purely by realm, there was a two-rank difference.
"As expected... is it because of what happened in Gartan Territory?"
"To be frank, that choice was unavoidable. I would have made the same one."
The queen raised her hand. Erterion stopped pouring out his pent-up frustrations.
"What do you think qualifies one as humanity's proxy?"
"...Martial power and unyielding convictions."
"Wrong. It's to become a god."
"Pardon?"
"I'm searching for the one who will become a god."
"You mean a Sword God."
Sword God. A realm humanity had never once attained. It was little more than a fantasy placeholder to prevent stagnation.
In truth, the pinnacle humanity could reach was Sword Saint. That was why even the mightiest Sword Saint, Erterion himself, wasn't considered a candidate. He could grow no stronger.
"That's impossible..."
"Sir Erterion. Suppose you, who monopolized all the goddess's blessings as humanity's proxy, finally faced the Demon King after trials and tribulations—and slew him. But then, a variable arises."
Erterion listened intently, visualizing the actual confrontation with the Demon King.
"To strike down the Demon King, you must cleave away everything precious you've held dear."
"..."
"More plainly: you'd have to slaughter half of humanity. In exchange, you gain the Demon King's certain death. What would you do?"
Erterion pondered long before answering.
"If that's the only way, then yes."
"You kill half of humanity and slay the Demon King. Congratulations. You're the first human to ever kill the Demon King. But here's the thing?"
The queen smiled playfully.
"A new Demon King appears."
"...!"
"What? Calling that unfair?"
Erterion sought answers over denial.
"...Please tell me. Should I not have killed the Demon King?"
The queen smiled coldly.
"No, your choice was perfectly rational. If sacrificing half of humanity ensures the Demon King's death, that's the right call. But—"
Erterion looked up.
Queen Lydia wore no expression, like a person devoid of emotion. No, was she even human?
"That was a human choice. Not a god's."
Lydia continued relentlessly.
"Similarly, Edward's choice that day was a human one."
"..."
"A human who makes the best choice within the rules can't defeat a god who cheats outside them."
Erterion couldn't understand or accept it. He now grasped the queen's intent: she sought the one to ascend to Sword God. But even so, he believed Edward was closer than Sisilia.
Would Sisilia have chosen differently? He was skeptical. There was no right answer to that dilemma.
The queen read his thoughts.
"If you're still doubtful, why not go ask Sisilia and force the choice on her?"
"...What do you mean?"
"Sisilia will surely bring an answer you never imagined and shock you."
And as the queen prophesied, Erterion had no choice but to be stunned.
"Oh, what do you think Sisilia would have said? Probably something rebellious like, 'I'll kill just the Demon King without sacrificing half of humanity.' Cute, right?"
Sisilia's choice was ridiculously simple—infuriatingly idealistic—in Erterion's eyes.
And she had actually realized that ideal.
"Close to perfection."
"As expected of blood kin to Her Majesty the Queen."
Erterion glanced at the queen. She rested her chin on her hand, looking bored.
"These are the last two candidates. Let's review the next profile, then discuss."
"Indeed."
The ministers checked the final profile: Sisilia's.
"Technique at S+? High for a Sword Princess. Accounting for Wind Shear, I suppose?"
"Well, domain-type Extreme Arts are rare."
"Hard to quantify their value."
Unlike Edward's, many raised objections to Sisilia's profile.
"Chaotic Neutral? Isn't the Sword Princess renowned for her righteousness?"
"Shouldn't it match Chiron—Lawful Good?"
"What's the reasoning for this classification?"
Marquis Viaton explained calmly.
"Chaotic Neutral is for the wildly free-spirited. Eccentrics, in common parlance."
"Eccentric? Calling the Sword Princess that is outrageous..."
"Isn't she the flower of the Windsor Knights?"
"I've never heard of Sisilia Windsor causing trouble."
The ministers who had never met her or only through thick formalities were puzzled. The queen chuckled softly, while Marquis Viaton smiled wryly.
"She does whatever she wants. And she has the ability to make it happen. It's just that what she wants tends to be good things, so no major issues arise."
"What she wants—what's that usually?"
Duke Eisenberg asked with interest.
Marquis Viaton held up the documents.
"Her攻略 records show an extreme aversion to casualties. Likely deep attachment to Windsor Knights members since childhood."
"It's true. No fatalities in any mission she led. Even on the battlefield. Is that possible?"
"As you'll see, not a single subjugation followed standard procedure. In short..."
Marquis Viaton concluded about Sisilia, who was like a close friend's daughter.
"A textbook genius."
To avoid casualties, she bore every sacrifice herself. Realizing this impossible contradiction proved Sisilia's irrational existence.
Duke Eisenberg silently reviewed the attached dungeon攻略 records for a long while. He let out a hollow chuckle.
"Overly arrogant."
It soon turned into booming laughter.
"No—ferociously mad fits better."
The ministers reading the same records nodded.
"I see why Marquis Viaton used 'genius'—a term he didn't even apply to Edward Windsor. Compared to Sisilia, Edward is..."
"Just a mere mortal. Harboring such mad ideals is one thing; executing them is beyond mortals."
Duke Eisenberg stated firmly. It stemmed from the攻略 of an "appropriate dungeon."
-To the demon's advice to offer her heart, she offered the demon's heart to clear the dungeon.
"It forced a 'save everyone' choice. There was no such option. She invented an absent answer and insisted it was correct."
For some, the "Train Hijacking Incident" was reason enough.
-Faced with saving the train or the people, she deployed "0.1-Second Wind Shear" to save both.
"One misstep, and her own Extreme Art would've killed everyone. To choose that in such urgency."
Duke Eisenberg couldn't hold back and burst into laughter.
-Trusting a clone identical to herself to self-destruct, she proceeded on that premise.
Wiping tears after laughing long, he said,
"Utterly insane."
All agreed. No sane person would make such choices.
"Still—even so, she can't surpass Edward Windsor's perfection. If choosing one hero, Edward fits."
"The ideal battlefield commander isn't the perfect one, but the unpredictable."
Northern Mage Commander Nemesis was already captivated by Sisilia. Citing the recent "Demon King Army Subjugation," he passionately argued she outshone Edward.
The debate dragged on stubbornly. As conclusions formed, votes were cast one by one.
The queen and grand dukes backed Sisilia; most ministers, Edward.
But Nemesis, Marquis Viaton, and a few swayed by his speech voted Sisilia.
The result—
"What's the score now?"
"47 to 45, Edward Windsor barely leads."
"The last vote..."
"One remains."
Duke Eisenberg glanced at Erterion. He stayed silent.
The vote wasn't fair. Votes varied by position. The queen's guardian knight and Liannen's top knight, the Sword Saint, had five.
"With this."
As Erterion voted, Queen Lydia beamed.
47:50
"Sisilia Windsor is appointed humanity's proxy."
Phew, that was close. If they'd picked Edward, I'd have gone tyrant mode.
Lydia, who had never considered all-in on Edward, stuck out her tongue and nibbled it lightly.
Thank goodness Sisilia had racked up merits.
"Waaah, it's a puppy."
"...Could you explain how that's a puppy, Sisilia?"
Edward looked at Sisilia with a smile.
-Grrrrrr!
Fenrir, bound in restraints, exuded menacing killing intent. Small in size, but no cute pup.
"It's a Welsh Corgi."
"Naming it already? Can you even subdue it?"
Edward patted Sisilia's head. Lately on better terms, he did it often. Old memories made it not unpleasant for her.
She still wanted to bite, though. But a promise was a promise.
"Yes."
"Hmm, don't treat it like a normal Fenrir. This is a special breed."
Subduing divine beasts was simple: show your ideal, and they submit based on its scale. The issue? They astutely gauge if it exceeds your vessel.
Thus, divine beasts were historically used for "interrogations." Suspected rebels confessed "I will become king" to verify truth.
"Even for you, Sisilia, this'll be tough. If not, pass it to me."
The Fenrir from Duke Eisenberg had never been subdued by anyone. Its vessel was extraordinary.
But Sisilia shook her head firmly.
"Please leave."
"...I'm curious."
"Secrets make a woman womanly. Don't you know Lord Vermouth's famous quote?"
"No idea who Lord Vermouth is, but good line. Even royalty steps back."
Edward left with mild regret. Once gone, Sisilia approached Fenrir.
"Total Welsh Corgi. Look at those short legs—adorbs."
She squatted. But pre-subdual, it seemed rabid. At this rate, it'd bite anyone—troublesome.
Subdue it quick.
"I'll say it once, so listen well."
The special-breed Fenrir glared challengingly, sensing the young human about to declare her ideal.
"Only I alone."
Sisilia curled her lips slightly.
"Am the sole human who will kill the Demon God."